17171 W Thousand Oaks Street, Surprise
Courtesy of RE/MAX Desert Showcase. 623-979-8888
+16232069936
Loving Phoenix Team | Real Broker
A practical guide to buying in Sterling Grove, the 780-acre Toll Brothers master-planned community in Surprise with a Nicklaus Design golf course, Troon-managed clubhouse, and resort amenities.
When buyers ask me where to find a true country-club community in the West Valley, the conversation usually ends at one name. Sterling Grove is staff-gated, golf-anchored, built around a 20,000 square foot Troon-managed clubhouse, and back-to-back winner of two of the most prestigious master plan awards in the country. There just isn't a longer list.
The 780-acre community sits in north Surprise at the foot of the White Tank Mountains, just east of Cotton Lane and north of Cactus Road, with quick access to Loop 303. Toll Brothers is the sole builder and will deliver approximately 2,200 homes when complete. The land was a working farm before development, and Toll preserved citrus groves, water features, and the general character of the original landscape, which is unusual for a community at this scale.
The recognition is real. Sterling Grove was named 2025 Master Plan Community of the Year by the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, and the 2023 Master Plan Community of the Year by Professional Builder magazine. Back-to-back national recognition like that tells you the amenities and design are holding up at delivery, not just on the brochure.
If you are relocating to the Phoenix area, our moving to Phoenix guide covers the broader basics on West Valley neighborhoods, climate, property taxes, and what to expect during your search. If you are shopping the 55+ side of Sterling Grove specifically, the 55+ Phoenix relocation guide is the better starting point.
Important note on the two Sterling Grove pages: Sterling Grove has both all-ages and 55+ neighborhoods inside the same master plan. This page covers the all-ages collections. If you are shopping the 55+ side, our Sterling Grove 55+ active adult page covers those neighborhoods specifically, including the Concord Collection and other ranch-style single-level designs designed for active adult buyers.
Quick orientation note. Sterling Grove is staff-gated, meaning the gatehouse is staffed 24/7 by an attendant who controls visitor access. You may also see it described as guard-gated. Practically speaking, the access control is the same. License plate recognition cameras and visitor logging back up the staff at the gate.
The amenity package is the main reason buyers pay the premium to live here. It is genuinely deep.
The 20,000-square-foot farmhouse-style clubhouse anchors the community on a 10-acre amenity center. Inside is the Copper + Rye Table and Bar restaurant and cocktail lounge, a grab-and-go market with a barista, full-service Flora Spa, fitness center with free weights and equipment, and a movement studio set up for yoga and group classes.
The 18-hole, par-72 Nicklaus Design course is the centerpiece. It is operated by Troon, the largest golf management company in the world. Practice facilities include a driving range, putting and chipping greens, and a golf simulator. Importantly, golf membership is separate from social membership and is optional.
Three resort-style pools (including a lap-style fitness pool and a serenity pool with no splashing), nine lighted pickleball courts, five tennis courts, two bocce ball courts, and an 18-hole putting course let residents play almost any racquet or ball sport on site without leaving the gates.
A central tree-lined town square with four cornerstone parks, a community garden, citrus groves, and water features runs through the master plan. Miles of walking trails connect the neighborhoods, the clubhouse, and the parks. Both the all-ages and 55+ collections have access to all of this.
Sterling Grove sits in the shadow of the White Tank Mountains, and many home sites have direct mountain or golf-course views. The trail system, regional park hiking, and dark-sky stargazing are part of daily life for many residents.
Sterling Grove is just minutes from Loop 303, which connects to I-10 and Loop 101 across the West Valley. Prasada shopping, Surprise City Center, and the Surprise Recreation Campus are all within a 10 to 15 minute drive. Sky Harbor runs about 45 to 55 minutes depending on traffic.
Toll Brothers has built and is still building several home collections inside Sterling Grove. Each collection has its own price point, lot size, and architectural style. Most buyers tour two or three before settling on one.
Smaller-footprint single-family homes with farmhouse, craftsman, prairie, or Spanish architecture. A common entry point into Sterling Grove.
Single and two-story homes, 2 to 6 bedrooms, on 5,500+ square foot home sites. Generous space for indoor-outdoor living and growing households.
Six award-winning single-family designs at the larger end. Many home sites here have golf course or White Tank Mountain views.
Toll Brothers added the Atley and Brookhaven collections in 2025, including the Bridgewater, Chartwell, and Ellard plans. Move-in ready inventory and 2026 completions available.
Single-level home designs on 6,600+ square foot home sites, designed specifically for active-adult buyers. Covered on our Sterling Grove 55+ page.
Attached low-maintenance villas and condominiums for buyers who want resort amenities without the yard. Popular with second-home buyers and snowbirds.
If you're considering Sterling Grove, you may also want to compare it against other Surprise neighborhoods filtered by feature.
The amenity package and the recognition are real. So are a few things buyers should walk in understanding.
The amenity depth. Few communities in the West Valley combine staff-gated entry, a Nicklaus Design course, a Troon-managed clubhouse, full-service spa, and a real on-site restaurant. Most buyers who tour Sterling Grove against peer communities feel the difference immediately.
Toll Brothers build quality. Toll has been building luxury homes since 1967 and has a long-running reputation for quality finishes and design. That reputation generally holds up in resale, which matters when you sell.
Mountain and golf views. Many home sites have direct White Tank Mountain or golf course views. Combined with the preserved citrus groves and water features, the daily-life experience inside the gates feels different from typical Phoenix new construction.
Both age policies in one master plan. All-ages buyers and 55+ buyers can live in the same community while picking the right age policy for their household. That works well for multigenerational families. Our 55+ communities guide compares the West Valley options.
Mandatory social membership. Sterling Grove requires every homeowner to be a Social Member of the Sterling Grove Club. Social membership has its own initiation fee plus monthly dues that are separate from your HOA. This is built into the community design and is not optional. Always factor it into your monthly carry.
HOA plus capital improvement fee at closing. Beyond the social membership, expect a monthly HOA dues line and a one-time capital improvement fee at closing. Total out-of-pocket the day you buy is meaningfully higher than at most peer communities. I always pull the full fee disclosure before you write.
Golf membership is separate and optional. If you want to play the course as a member, that is a separate Golf Membership category with its own initiation fee and higher monthly dues. Memberships are limited and sometimes have a waitlist, so if golf is a primary reason you are buying here, get on the list early.
Builder contracts favor the builder. Most Sterling Grove inventory is new construction. New construction can be great, but builder contracts are a little different. That is where having someone on your side really helps with deposits, change orders, contingency timing, and closing terms.
One thing I tell every Sterling Grove buyer: get the full membership disclosure, not just the HOA disclosure. The two are separate documents and the membership side often surprises people. We should walk through both line by line before you write so there is nothing unexpected after closing.
Sterling Grove resale values vary by collection, lot premium, and view. Get an updated estimate based on real recent Sterling Grove sales, not a generic algorithm.
Get My Home ValueReal reviews from buyers and sellers we've worked with throughout the Phoenix area.
What is the average home price in Sterling Grove?
Pricing varies a lot by collection, lot premium, and view. Smaller Providence and Arlington plans typically start in the high $400,000s to mid $500,000s, mid-size single-family homes in the Concord, Sonoma, and Atley collections often run $600,000 to $900,000, and larger or premium-lot homes can exceed $1 million. Resale homes vary based on upgrades, lot, and view. I'd rather pull current comps for the specific collection and lot you're considering than quote a number that's stale by the time you read it.
How do the HOA and Sterling Grove Club fees actually work?
There are two separate things: the HOA, which covers common-area maintenance and security, and a mandatory Social Membership at the Sterling Grove Club, which covers the clubhouse, pools, fitness, and most non-golf amenities. Together those typically run a few hundred dollars per month. There is also a one-time capital improvement fee at closing. Golf Membership is separate and optional, with its own initiation fee and higher monthly dues. Fee schedules change, so I always pull the current disclosure package before you write.
Is golf membership required to live in Sterling Grove?
No. Social membership at the Sterling Grove Club is mandatory for residents, but golf membership is optional and separate. If you want to play the Nicklaus course as a member, you'd pay an additional initiation fee and significantly higher monthly dues. Memberships are limited and have been on a waitlist at various points, so if golf is part of why you're buying here, mention it on day one and we'll check current availability.
Can non-residents play the Sterling Grove golf course?
A limited number of Non-Resident Memberships are available with their own initiation fee and monthly dues. These are recallable, meaning the club can reclaim them to make room for resident demand. Non-residents who later become Sterling Grove homeowners can typically apply their initiation fees toward a resident membership. The club's website has the most current pricing and category details.
How does Sterling Grove compare to other West Valley master-planned communities?
The closest peers are Vistancia in Peoria (much larger, includes Trilogy 55+, multiple builders), Verrado in Buckeye (DMB master plan, walkable village design, two golf courses), and Estrella in Goodyear (newer southern peer with lakes and trails). Sterling Grove differentiates on staff-gated entry, the country-club amenity model, and Toll Brothers build quality. The other three are larger and more diverse but generally don't match the country-club feel. Most buyers tour at least two before deciding.
What is the difference between the all-ages and 55+ sections?
The 55+ collections (primarily the Concord Collection) are inside age-restricted neighborhoods within Sterling Grove. Homes there are single-level, designed for active adult buyers, and the neighborhood follows HUD's 80/20 rule for age-restricted communities. All-ages buyers can purchase in the all-ages collections and still use all of the master-plan amenities (clubhouse, golf, pools, courts) alongside 55+ residents. Both groups share the gates, the Club, and the golf course. Our Sterling Grove 55+ page covers the active adult side specifically.
Can I buy a Sterling Grove home before selling my current one?
Yes, several ways. Some buyers use a HELOC or bridge loan against their current equity. Others write contingent offers, which work better in slower markets. Toll Brothers also has buy-before-you-sell financing programs that can be useful at Sterling Grove specifically. The right approach depends on your equity, timeline, and the price point you are shopping in. Worth a phone call to walk through what fits.
What should I look for during a Sterling Grove home inspection?
For brand-new construction, focus on builder warranty walkthroughs, original-construction punch list items, irrigation timing, and HVAC sizing. For homes that are two to four years old, settlement cracks, original landscaping condition, and pool equipment (if applicable) become more important. Resale homes with significant upgrades should be checked carefully because change orders sometimes create electrical or plumbing oddities. I work with inspectors I trust who know Toll product specifically.
How long is the commute from Sterling Grove to central Phoenix?
Plan on roughly 45 to 55 minutes to downtown Phoenix or Sky Harbor depending on time of day. Loop 303 is the closest freeway and connects to I-10 and Loop 101. Sterling Grove sits at the northwest edge of Surprise, so it is one of the longer commutes in the city. Drive it at the time you would actually drive it before you commit, especially if anyone in the household commutes for work.
I have spent more than 20 years guiding buyers through the West Valley, including Sterling Grove buyers from across the country. The first conversation is just to listen and answer questions. No pressure.
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